Springboks rally to snatch Rugby Championship glory
The Springboks produced a late-night surge to edge past the Pumas at Twickenham and claim a sixth Rugby Championship title on points difference. In a match that swung on momentum, South Africa overturned a tight first half to dominate after the break, sealing the championship as New Zealand’s earlier win left them level on points but behind on tiebreaks.
The stage was set for a tense finale as Argentina threatened to disrupt the South Africans’ bid for back-to-back titles. A first half that featured handling errors and missed chances left the teams separated by a slender margin, with the Pumas leading 13-10 at the interval. It was clear that the second period would decide the destination of the trophy, and the Springboks emerged with renewed urgency.
Second half power surge from the visitors
South Africa’s power in the second half was evident in their relentless pressure and calculated execution. The decisive moments arrived when Malcolm Marx crossed for his first try, giving the Springboks a lead they would not surrender. The forward pack laid a foundation built on efficient ball control and disciplined defense, while Cobus Reinach added a second try to stretch the advantage and keep the scoreboard ticking for the visitors.
Argentina fought back at times, with a critical moment coming in Delguy’s interception that halted one of the Springboks’ strongest builds and briefly reignited hope for a Pumas comeback. Rodrigo Isgro added a late score for Argentina, momentarily reigniting the cheers of a comeback, but it proved too little too late. South Africa’s defense held firm for the remainder, and the try by Isgro did little more than reduce the margin to a single bonus point, denying Argentina a late relief.
What the win means
With the victory, the Springboks crowned their Rugby Championship campaign for the sixth time, marking back-to-back titles—the first time they have claimed consecutive crowns since the competition began to assume its modern form. The win also capped a season in which South Africa depended on a strong points difference after New Zealand’s 28-14 bonus-point win over Australia in Perth earlier that day left the equation tilted toward a victory with maximum reward.
South Africa finished on 19 points, level with New Zealand on the same tally, but the Springboks secured the trophy on points difference. Australia ended with 11 points, while Argentina took 10, underscoring the tight margins that defined this year’s championship. This result adds another chapter to a storied rivalry landscape and reflects the ongoing evolution of the Springboks under their current coaching and leadership setup.
Key moments and standout performers
Malcolm Marx’s first try in the second half proved a game-changer, punctuating a period of heavy pressure and physical dominance from the South African pack. Reinach’s second-half score reinforced the momentum and provided a cushion as the clock wound down. The pair of tries illustrated South Africa’s ability to convert pressure into points at critical junctures, a hallmark of championship-winning teams.
Argentina’s Delguy and Isgro contributed moments of quality that kept the scoreline honest and kept the Pumas within reach, but the Springboks’ superior execution in key moments ensured they held the upper hand as the final whistle approached.
Looking ahead
As the Rugby Championship now moves into its next chapter, South Africa will take confidence from a campaign that showcased their ability to respond after rough patches and to win games when thrown into tough situations. For Argentina, the result offers plenty of positives—strong periods of play, moments of individual brilliance, and a clear sense of the work still to do in order to compete consistently at the highest level.
Fans and analysts will look back on this match as a reminder of why the Rugby Championship remains one of the most fiercely contested tournaments in global rugby, with the Springboks’ resilience and depth shining through in the defining spell of the second half.
